4.26.2010

Hard to believe, but Bruce Lee would have turned 70 years old this year. Forever immortalized on the screen as the electrifying martial artist who died at the age 32, it's difficult to imagine him kicking ass as a senior citizen. But decades after his passing, you can't deny that he remains as influential as ever.

In celebration of the life and legacy of Bruce Lee, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, in association with his widow, Linda Lee Cadwell and daughter Shannon Lee and their Bruce Lee Enterprises, is presenting a special program of Bruce-related screenings and panels throughout the weekend, starting this Friday. Check the details:

BRUCE LEE, CULTURAL ICON: 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

The Los Angeles Pacific Film Festival is pleased to collaborate with Bruce Lee Enterprises in honor of the 70th birthday of martial arts legend and Asian American cultural icon/actor Bruce Lee.

FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING:

THE CHINESE CONNECTION

Friday, April 30, 7PM, Madang the Courtyard (FREE Parking)

621 S. Western Ave. (one block north of Wilshire Blvd.),

Los Angeles - Koreatown.

Featuring a pre-screening live performance from rock band LiLA (Lost in Los Angeles) Event is free.

THE CHINESE CONNECTION is "the" film that introduced Bruce Lee to young urban and Asian American audiences (contains action and violence; parental guidance suggested) back in the 70s!

FESTIVAL SCREENING and PANEL DISCUSSION:

ENTER THE DRAGON

Saturday, May 1, 12:00 p.m., Laemmle Sunset 5

8000 W. Sunset Blvd. (at Crescent Heights), West Hollywood, CA 90046

ENTER THE DRAGON is considered to be the quintessential Bruce Lee film with an all-star cast of marital artists and actors

Plus Panel Discussion: HOW BRUCE LEE INFLUENCED POP CULTURE

A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover. Includes a special post-screening panel with Shannon Lee, Directors Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, martial artist/actor Bob Wall and rock musician Joseph Hahn of Linkin Park.

I have the privilege of moderating the Enter the Dragon post-screening panel this Saturday, May 1 at the Directors Guild of America. When Shinae Yoon, executive director of Visual Communications, asked me last month if I'd be interested in participating, the event was still coming together, and I didn't have too many details. Not that I needed any. I was like, "Shinae, say no more -- you had me at 'Bruce.'"

So... anyone want to be my guest? I'm giving away 15 pairs of tickets for folks to join me at Saturday's Enter the Dragon screening. Just be one of the first 15 people to email me with your name, email address and phone number. Be sure to include "ENTER THE DRAGON TICKETS" in the subject line. Please be courteous and enter only if you definitely plan on attending the screening. Cool?

For more information about the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival's Bruce Lee 70th Birthday Celebration, go here. To purchase tickets, visit the festival's box office page here. And to see the full schedule of festival screenings and events, go here.